Curious Little Man, Antique Spring Body Toy with Papier Mache Head and Hands satirical publication Late 19th c or so

Late 19th c or so I believe

with a penciled note on the back that it was the first painting done under the instruction of Augie Dea___

Just pure beautiful color

and a perfect way to display these gorgeous old clay marbles

Curious Little Man, Antique Spring Body Toy with Papier Mache Head and Hands satirical publication Late 19th c or soA funny little guy, and an old one, his head and hands hard papier mache and his body a wire spring hidden underneath his brown cloth jumpsuit. What really sold me is how his spring body learns a bit in one direction while his eyes glance sideward in the opposite with one arm shorter than the other adding to the chance tilt a world effect! And a pretty great face it is, with that bright red smile , plus a sort of a mohawk painted on top of the head. 4